Rehab Diary: LA Living, Venice Style

Drawn to the industrial loft look but concerned it might be too rough and open for you? See how LA's Simo Design helped their client remodel an open-plan setup to create a loft on a residential scale.
“Our client liked the look of his local restaurants and shops in Venice, California; he gravitated to their informal and industrial aspects, but he also wanted a to live in a clean, more refined space,” says Alexi Renalls, cofounder of Simo Design . “The industrial style is appealing but doesn't always directly translate to the home. We were worried it would quickly become dated, and so we set out to interpret the look in a way that's less fleeting and more inviting."
Photography by David Gilbert .
Above: The designers created a moveable kitchen island on wheels, lending flexibility to the open plan of the kitchen, dining, and living room. Concrete Heavy Light pendants from Decode London hang over the kitchen island.
Above: Horizontal and vertical subway-style tiles from Mission Tile West in South Pasadena form a clean-lined backdrop to the kitchen cabinets and open shelving. Sawkille Tall Stools sit on an engineered solid oak floor from Provenza Floors . For a primer on white subway tile patterns, see our recent Remodeling 101 post. And if you like the look of the stools, check out more of Sawkille's designs .
Above: "We collaborated with furniture designer David McCollough of DM/DM on the kitchen island, which is made of American black walnut," Renalls says. "The top is lacquered so that it can be used as a working surface." A Kohler Parq Faucet in an oil-rubbed bronze finish hints at an industrial aesthetic, while simple Belgian Sheer Linen Curtains from Restoration Hardware diffuse the strong Californian light.
Above: A photograph by Jon Rou gives the living area a Venice Beach vibe.
Above: A mix of striped bedding and cushions complements the washed linen headboard; a Solid Quarter Sawn White Oak Bedside Table by Hedge House adds a natural note to the assemblage.
Above: The designers kept the palette neutral when introducing key furnishings and accessories, including the master bedroom's Black Cord Sconces by Brendan Ravenhill and a midcentury chair and ottoman found through 1st Dibs.
Above: A double sink vanity made out of Carrara marble slabs is detailed to appear monolithic.
Above: The wall tiles behind the bathtub were cut down from larger floor tiles to achieve the desired texture and pattern variation.
Before
Above: The open-plan kitchen, dining, and living area prior to the renovation.
Above: The pre-renovation master bedroom.
Simo Design , members of the Remodelista Architecture and Designer Directory , are professional remodelers. See their tips on getting the most out of your remodel with paint , and have a look at another of their projects, A Masculine Midcentury Revival in LA .
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on September 23, 2013, as part of our issue The Nonchalant Kitchen .
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